Make a Call for VITA Permanence!

Issues: Turn It Right-Side Up

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been around for half a century yet, despite being recognized as a model private-public partnership, it has never been put into law. But things continue to move on the VITA front: last April, the House passed the bipartisan VITA Permanence Act which would put VITA into law, and in July the Senate introduced the Taxpayer First Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), which includes similar language. Now is the time to call your Senators and tell them why VITA should be permanent!

Please take a moment to use our auto-dial tool below to call your Senators and ask them to support S. 3246, the Taxpayer First Act. If this is your first time taking action here, please enter your contact information so that we can locate your Senators. Once you click "Call", the auto-dialer will connect you directly to your Senator's office. Once connected, here's what you can say:

"My name is friend and I’m a constituent of yours residing here in your state. I’m calling to request that you support the bipartisan Taxpayer First Act, that was introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Orrin Hatch. The bill includes language that would make the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program permanent in the IRS tax code. The VITA program serves millions of low-income taxpayers by organizing IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax filing services. The number of tax returns prepared by the VITA program doubled between the 2014 (1.9 million) and 2016 (3.8 million) tax filing seasons, saving hardworking families an average of $273. For these families, saving that $273 for groceries, utility bills or an emergency savings account can make all the difference in the world. In order to continue serving the community through over 4,300 sites nationwide, the VITA program relies on federal funding from Congress each year. With your support for the Taxpayer First Act, we can permanently authorize the program in the tax code and ensure hardworking families always have access to free tax preparation. Please vote YES for S. 3246 when it comes up for a vote in the Senate."